An international team of scientists have developed the world’s first fiber-optic solar cell. Thinner than the width of a human hair and scalable to many meters in length, the silicon-based wire opens the possibility of a new generation of flexible fabrics capable of converting solar radiation into direct-current electricity. The group’s findings, which were published in the December 6 issue of Advanced Materials, expand upon earlier attempts to combine optical fibers with electronic chips. Although many attempts have been made to integrate photovoltaic technology into clothing, traditional components tend to be rigid and unyielding.